Several inmates attempted a daring prison escape on Tuesday in northern Mexico which ended in a firefight that killed eleven prisoners and six guards.

Strangely enough the prison, located in the city of Gomez Palacio, has been in the news before regarding 17 deaths; in 2010, officials were accused of allowing prisoners freedom in order to gun down rival gang members who were involved with drug trafficking. That incident left the prison director and ten others incarcerated after they were found guilty.

Prison breakouts are often reported in Mexico, where officials say gang activity is especially heavy. Earlier this year, 120 inmates escaped from a prison in Piedras Negras to cross the Texas border.

Officials say the attempted breakout was preceded by a violent riot inside the prison, and inmates who had procured weapons began to shoot up the guard towers. Members of the military were called in to help restore order and say the prison is now back under the control of officials.